Czech pilots take to skies to fight COVID-19

Nearly 400 Czech pilots have volunteered to fly critical medical supplies across the country to healthcare workers struggling with shortages in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Pilots to People initiative launched on Facebook in late March uses light aircraft to ship face masks and other medical supplies where they are needed as quickly as possible.

Loading a box containing face shields at the Prague-Letnany airport on a sunny Thursday morning, professional pilot Martin Zeman is heading to the city of Brno, 190 kilometres (120 miles) southeast of the capital Prague.

"I signed up a few days after the initiative emerged," he told AFP, ahead of his first hour-long flight.

"I thought everyone should contribute in this difficult time and pilots know how to fly, so we should help this way."